• FM says "very strong and compelling evidence" that jabs are reducing deaths

• Sturgeon says we should be seeking to eliminate the virus, after a citizens' panel called for an "elimination strategy"
• The test positivity rate is 3.8%, which is below the WHO's 5% target for the pandemic being under control
• A further 57 deaths were registered in the past 24 hours of people who tested positive in the last 28 days
• The first minister says the R number is expected to be below one again
• 3,760 people were given their second dose of the vaccine yesterday
• 1,354,966 people have now received their first dose
• Healthcare workers who come into contact with patients to self-test twice a week
• The Scottish government will publish information about vaccine supplies later today

That's all from us here at the live page. Please take care and stay safe.

Image source, Getty Images

Back at the briefing, Alan Smith from Bauer says a public panel has urged the Scottish government to pursue a Covid elimination strategy.

The first minister replies: "We should be seeking to eliminate."

She explains that by eliminate she means supress the virus to as low a level as possible and keep it there.

Ms Sturgeon believes that is feasible and it was achieved in the summer last year here in Scotland, until travel receded the virus.

An elimination strategy may mean prolonged travel restrictions and indeed other restrictions like face coverings, she says.

The worst thing we could do just now is let up to quickly and let everything run out of control again and go back to square one, adds the first minister.

Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie says all the indicators are moving in the right direction as far as test positivity, the number of cases and the number of patients in ICU are concerned.

But speaking on the BBC's Coronavirus Update programme, he points out that a tragic number of deaths are still being recorded and we need to be cautious and careful about how we proceed

On easing restrictions, Mr Rennie says: "We need another couple of weeks so we are a bit further over the horizon and we can see what the situation in Scotland is like with the impact of the vaccine.

"Remember, it takes about three weeks for the vaccine immunity to kick in, so that's when I think we need to have a better look at this.".

At the briefing, Peter Smith from ITN thanks the chief nursing officer for postponing her retirement to tackle the pandemic and wishes her well.

Mr Smith goes on to ask why people with learning disabilities are not on the vaccination priority list.

The first minister replies that most people with learning disabilities will be in JCVI group four who have already been offered vaccination, or in group six which is about to be invited for vaccination next week.

Ms Sturgeon says the vaccination order must be decided by clinical experts.

She pledges to go away and look at this issue, particularly at Oxfordshire which may be prioritising those with learning disabilities.

Labour MSP Rhoda Grant says seeing the positivity figures coming down "is a real relief to people".

It does, however, feel like "a bit of a hollow celebration" given the number of people who have lost loved ones during the pandemic, she tells the Coronavirus Update programme.

"But we need to get on top of this virus and keep the numbers down so people can get out and live their lives a wee bit more."

On care homes, Ms Grant says residents are still being forced to live with the toughest restrictions - but there is cause for optimism.

"The sooner we give them the second jab and give them some freedom, the better."

Back to the briefing, and Catriona Renton from the BBC asks if today's case number figures are the beginning of a trend to getting back to some kind of normality.

The first minister warns not to focus too much on a single day and adds that the overall case numbers must be put in context with the percentage of cases coming back positive.

The test positivity yesterday was around 6% and today it is 3.8%, which is indicative of the downward trend, she says.

Case numbers and test positivity are declining in Scotland, the first minister points out, as are hospital admissions.

There may be a slowing down in the rate of decline, so we still need to be cautious, she warns.

Image source, bbc

Dr Elly Gaunt, a virologist at the Roslin Institute at Edinburgh University says the test positivity rate being 3.8% is very encouraging.

"It's really reassuring that we are seeing that number below 5% time and time again", she tells the BBC One Coronavirus Update programme.

When the positivity rate is under 5%, the World Health Organisation classes the virus as being under control.

Dr Gaunt says: "It suggests that it is a sensible time and a cautionary time to start lifting (lockdown) measures in the way that is planned by the Scottish government."

However, Dr Gaunt says we still need to err on the side of caution because of the emergence of new variants and let the vaccination programme roll out to the majority of the population.

Image source, Getty Images

Ewan Petrie from STV asks for reaction to the Education Policy Institute report on support for catch-up in schools.

It recognises that spending per pupil in Scotland is the highest of all four home nations, but also says current plans are insufficient and don't target poorer pupils or those with ASN needs, Mr Petrie adds.

The first minister says she will look very carefully at the report.

Ms Sturgeon says that about £200 per pupil is being spent on catch-up, the highest amount in the UK.

She adds that the report says the Scottish government is not targeting that as much at disadvantaged pupils.

There are elements of the spend on education recovery the report does not take account of, she says.

The first minister is asked by ITV Border’s Matty Sutton about the challenges faced by women who are running new businesses during the pandemic.

One woman has said she fears there has been a “complete regression” when it comes to women working while also acting as mums and carers.

Nicola Sturgeon says we should never be complacent about gender equality in the workplace. “Our task, starting with the government, is to do everything we can to make sure that regression that people may be worried about doesn’t become a reality.

“While we are all in this crisis together, we are not all experiencing it in the same way. But I don’t think there will be anybody who has not found it difficult emotionally, financially and in terms of juggling work and caring responsibilities.”

But given that it is accepted that women are disproportionately affected, the first minister says we need to make sure it is a temporary effect.

Chief nursing officer Fiona McQueen is appearing at the briefing for the final time before she retires. Ms Sturgeon thanks her for her service and help throughout the pandemic.

Ms McQueen pays her own tribute to healthcare workers, nurses and midwives.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” she says.

Image source, Scottish government

The first minister reminds everyone to stay at home, except for essential purposes and to follow the rules.

Here's a reminder of the rules, regulations and guidance:

1. Scottish government: Coronavirus (Covid-19): what you can and cannot do, external

From Tuesday 5 January, mainland Scotland moved from Level 4 to a temporary lockdown, with new guidance to stay at home, external except for essential purposes.

• read a quick guide to what you can and cannot do: stay at home infographic, external

2. Postcode checker, external for Covid restrictions by protection level in areas of Scotland

3. NHS Inform, external

The latest from NHS Scotland and the Scottish government, including social distancing, face covering and stay at home advice.

4. Test and Protect, external

If you have Covid-19 symptoms go immediately to NHS Inform online or phone 0800 028 2816 to book a test.

The latest from NHS Scotland and the Scottish government, including social distancing, face covering and stay at home advice.

5. Vaccines

What should you do if you have concerns about your vaccination appointment:

• Call your GP
• Call the helpline: 0800 030 8013
• As a last resort Nicola Sturgeon has reiterated you could e-mail her team at firstminister@gov.scot
• If you need to rebook an appointment check out the details in your vaccination letter or go to NHS Inform, external

Image source, PA Media

The first minister details an expansion of testing, with the aim being that by the end of March all healthcare workers who come into contact with patients anywhere will be able to self-test twice a week.

These will be lateral flow devices which give rapid results, but of course are less sensitive than PCR tests.

Anyone testing positive will therefore have to get a PCR test too.

Ms Sturgeon says there is "very strong and compelling evidence" that vaccinations are starting to work to reduce the number of people dying.

The first minister says the NRS figures yesterday showed a 62% reduction in the number of Covid deaths in care homes in the last three weeks.

She goes on to say there is quite strong confidence now that the early vaccination of care home residents is "now having the impact that we desperately hoped to see it have".

Image source, Reuters

Ms Sturgeon says there have been four-nation discussions with vaccine suppliers about how to publish more detailed supply information.

The first minister says the Scottish government will publish information about the supplies received so far today.

From next week this data will be published on a weekly basis on a Tuesday.

Ms Sturgeon points out this will relate to stocks received on the Sunday just past.

The first minister says if you have not been vaccinated yet and are in one of the four top priority categories you should get in touch with your GP in the first case.

Ms Sturgeon adds that 69% of 65 to 69-year-olds have received the first dose.

"That means we are firmly on course to have offered a first dose to everyone in that age group by early March."

Ms Sturgeon turns to the vaccination programme and says 1,354,966 have now received their first dose.

That is an increase of 34,892 since yesterday.

The first minister adds that 3,760 people got their second dose yesterday.

First doses have been offered to:

• everyone over 70
• all care home residents
• all front-line health and care workers
• all people with a serious clinical vulnerability

The first minister says that later today the latest estimate of the R number is expected to be below one again.

Ms Sturgeon says that is consistent with other figures that suggest cases are beginning to decline.